Re: One Ram makes all rookie team

Re: One Ram makes all rookie team

I'm guessing Hedgecock.

"Before the gates of excellence the high gods have placed sweat; long is the road thereto and rough and steep at first; but when the heights are reached, then there is ease, though grievously hard in the winning." --- Hesiod

Re: One Ram makes all rookie team

Well, I'll be durned.....that's the first prediction I've gotten right this week.

The fact that Brown AND Roos made it ahead of Barron is a joke. I'd take Barron this year over either of them.

"Before the gates of excellence the high gods have placed sweat; long is the road thereto and rough and steep at first; but when the heights are reached, then there is ease, though grievously hard in the winning." --- Hesiod

Re: One Ram makes all rookie team

If this year's All-Rookie team actually took the field, they would look a lot like the Bears.

That's not just because Kyle Orton is the quarterback. Like this year's incarnation of the Monsters of the Midway, the 2005 All Rookie Team has talent to spare on defense. Offense? That's another matter.
Several excellent rookie defenders were relegated to the "honorable mention" category this year, particularly at linebacker, cornerback, and punter. But on the offensive side of the ball, it was hard to cobble together an interior offensive line, and the receiving corps wouldn't blow anyone away.
At Football Outsiders, we use objective judgment whenever possible, so many of our custom statistics — Adjusted Line Yards, DPAR, DVOA broken down by opponent's receivers — were used to help determine who deserved to make the All Rookie Team. Our scouting notes were also brought to bear; readers of Michael David Smith's Every Play Counts won't be surprised by some of the names below. But there's always a subjective element at work when selecting a team like this, so not every player selected is the "top" rookie based upon our statistical methods.
Anyway, on with the list: Offense

Quarterback: Kyle Orton, Bears

For weeks, we heard that Orton "managed games well" or "did what he had to do" to win. But anyone who watched him play knew that he was just better than awful for most of the season. Still, he stayed healthy and prevented a complete disaster in Chicago. Decent outings against the Lions, Vikings and Browns showed that Orton has the potential to get better, but the Bears are happy to have Rex Grossman back for the postseason. Running back: Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers

Cadillac appeared to have All-Rookie honors sewn up in the opening weeks of the season. Then he hit the wall, and college teammate Ronnie Brown was poised to take his place. Brown had some highlight-reel runs against the Chiefs and Bills, but by December Cadillac was back to full speed and leading the Bucs to the playoffs. Williams has exceptional quickness, but he's most impressive when he's finishing runs and punishing tacklers like a much bigger back. Fullback: Justin Green, Ravens

Green was a very good pass blocker and effective lead blocker before getting hurt in Week 12. He's also a fine all-purpose special teamer. Wide receiver: Braylon Edwards, Browns

His numbers (32 receptions, 16.0 yards per catch) are impressive for ten games of work. He had 22 first down receptions, and showed that he was ready to be a #1 receiver in impressive outings against the Dolphins, Vikings, and Jaguars before getting hurt. Chris Henry may have had more receptions, but it's easier to play the slot in a great offense than to be the top threat in a bad offense. Wide receiver: Matt Jones, Jaguars

Jones was supposed to be a "project" this season, so his production was somewhat surprising. A converted college quarterback, Jones isn't a great route runner, and opponents caught on to his role as a trick-play specialist early in the year. But he has been a solid third down and red zone threat: 19 of his 28 receptions have yielded first downs, and an acrobatic touchdown against the Steelers helped alter the balance of power in the AFC. Tight end: Heath Miller, Steelers

The Offensive Rookie of the Year, with all apologies to Cadillac. The Steelers haven't had a receiving threat at tight end since Eric Green left town. Miller provided the Steelers quarterbacks with a much-needed possession receiver over the middle. He ranks ahead of Todd Heap and Alge Crumpler in DPAR, in part because so many of his catches yielded first downs or touchdowns. Tackle: Alex Barron, Rams

Michael David Smith profiled Barron in his Every Play Counts column in October, calling Barron one of the most impressive rookie linemen he has ever seen. Barron was a perfect fit in St. Louis, where he joined Orlando Pace to give the team an excellent pair of bookend pass protectors. Tackle: Jammal Brown, Saints

Brown labored in obscurity as the Saints traveled the barnstorming circuit. With all of their problems, it was hard to notice that the Saints line was playing relatively well. Guard: Logan Mankins, Patriots

Mankins stepped into a starting job for the defending champs and was solid if unspectacular. Mankins isn't polished as a run blocker, but Tom Brady's pass protection held together even when Mankins was surrounded by novices like fellow rookie Nick Kaczur. Guard: Will Whitticker, Packers

A weak selection. Whitticker started every game this season but wasn't very effective, particularly when trying to pull and trap in the running game. He makes the list because there were so few other candidates at guard. Center: Drew Hodgdon, Texans

There were almost no viable candidates at center. Hodgdon started three games in midseason and wasn't terrible. He may be Houston's starter next season. Defense

End: Shaun Cody, Lions

Cody hasn't been flashy this season, but he had big games against the Panthers, Bears, and Vikings. He plays both end and tackle, so he fits well in the All-Rookie lineup as a two-gap 3-4 end. Tackle: Luis Castillo, Chargers

The steroid controversy has faded, and the Chargers have found themselves with the type of defensive tackle every team covets. Castillo is strong, alert, and active, penetrates well, and often commands a double team. He was a major factor in the Week 8 win over the Chiefs. End: Trent Cole, Eagles

Cole was listed as an outside linebacker in the draft but lines up exclusively in the three-point stance for the Eagles. He saw little playing time early in the season, but came on strong against the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants in the midseason stretch before everything went kablooie in Philly. He's not suited to every-down duty but should develop into a top pass-rush specialist. Linebacker: Shawne Merriman, Chargers

When Merriman puts it all together, opposing quarterbacks are in trouble. His quickness and instincts are amazing, but Merriman is still learning to vary his moves and fight off blockers. His sack totals are impressive, but Merriman is also good against the run because he reacts quickly and tackles cleanly. Linebacker: Lofa Tatupu, Seahawks

Tatupu beat Kirk Morrison for this spot in Week 12 with his 13-tackle performance. Then he returned a pick for a touchdown against the Eagles, intercepted another pass against the Niners, and broke up two more passes against the Colts. Tatupu plays like a veteran; he makes lots of tackles in the backfield or right at the line of scrimmage, but he may be most impressive in pass coverage, where his instincts and recognition skills are outstanding. Linebacker: Odell Thurman, Bengals

The Defensive Rookie of the Year. Thurman plays the run like Jeremiah Trotter and drops into coverage like Al Wilson. With five interceptions and five more forced fumbles, he was one of the most dangerous defensive playmakers in the NFL this year. Linebacker: Demarcus Ware, Cowboys

Ware had four sacks by Week 6 but then went into a long dry spell. Ware didn't twiddle his thumbs for two months. He recorded two tackles for a loss against the Lions, two more against the Giants in Week 13, and grew into a steady run defender. Then he exploded with three sacks and three forced fumbles against the Panthers. The next Lawrence Taylor? Not yet, but Ware would have been Defensive Rookie of the Year in a normal season. Cornerback: Darrent Williams, Broncos

The Broncos rank 11th in DVOA when stopping their opponents' No. 1 wideouts and 13th when stopping their No. 2 wideouts. Nobody is avoiding Champ Bailey to pick on Williams or fellow rookie Domonique Foxworth. Williams is a fine hitter for his size and is a great return man, but his most amazing statistic this year may be the number of times he has been penalized: zero. Cornerback: Carlos Rogers, Redskins

Rogers replaced Fred Smoot and actually upgraded the Redskins secondary. He played his best game against the Chargers in Week 12 with an interception and three passes defensed, but he has been rock-solid since entering the lineup in Week 4. He has missed two straight games, and the Redskins need him back in the postseason. Safety: Chris Harris, Bears

A big hitter who's at his best close to the line of scrimmage, Harris can also be effective in coverage — he broke up four passes against the Vikings in Week 6. But with Mike Brown at free safety and two fine cornerbacks in the secondary, Harris is free to act like an extra linebacker. He excels in the role. Safety: Kerry Rhodes, Jets

One of the Jets' few bright spots this year. Sophomore safety Erik Coleman has regressed, but Rhodes has stepped up as a run defender and sometime blitzer. He doesn't have the instincts of a natural Cover-2 safety yet, but he doesn't make many foolish mistakes. Special teams

Kicker: Rob Bironas, Titans

Three of Bironas' six misses came from beyond 50 yards this season. His numbers would look better if the Titans gave him a few more extra points to convert. Bironas was an undrafted free agent. Hint, hint. Punter: Michael Koenin, Falcons

This has been a big year for punters. Chris Klewe of the Vikings was a close runner up, but Koenin is better at pinning opponents. Plus, he kicked a long field goal. Kick Returner: Jerome Mathis, Texans

Two fumbles against the Ravens in Week 13 nearly cost Mathis a spot on the All-Rookie team. But his touchdowns against the Colts and Chiefs, plus great outings against the Titans and Browns, made him one of the Texans' few bright spots this year. Gunners: (Tie) Brady Poppinga, Packers, and Chase Blackburn, Giants

With Darrent Williams returning punts, we have room for two gunners. Poppinga is one of the league leaders in special teams tackles. Blackburn was a key contributor on one of the league's best special teams units and was starting to show promise on defense before getting hurt against the Redskins. Honorable Mention:

Re: One Ram makes all rookie team

I really like hedgehung, i think he is a keeper. improved as a blocker during the year and showed good hands in the last couple of games. spirited special teams play as well. I think he is our guy for next year at fullback.

However, comparing him to barron is a joke. barron had a very strong rookie season and will be an elite tackle next year. i hope hedgehung is as dominant as i KNOW that barron is going to be. Barron had his share of rookie mental errors, but physically, he was out and out dominant for much of the time. I thought that he really cleaned strahans clock, among others.

Re: One Ram makes all rookie team

The thing that I love about Hedgecock is his potential. He has the potential to be one of the best FBs in the game in a few years and I think he's going to be that. Thats excellent value for a 7th round pick.

Re: One Ram makes all rookie team

Did you guess Hedgecock because I already said Barron wasn't on there, or would you have guessed Barron?

My first guess would have been Barron, but (after reading your post) my second guess was Hedgecock.

"Before the gates of excellence the high gods have placed sweat; long is the road thereto and rough and steep at first; but when the heights are reached, then there is ease, though grievously hard in the winning." --- Hesiod